Lesley Duncan -

Lesley Duncan (Aug. 12, 1943 — March 12, 2010) was an English singer/songwriter who made the 1971/72 CBS albums Sing Children Sing and Earth Mother, followed by the 1974/75 GM titles Everything Changes and Moon Bathing and the 1977 MCA release Maybe It’s Lost.

Background

Lesley Duncan was born on August 12, 1943, in Stockton-on-Tees, England. Her brother Jimmy Duncan entered the London music trade and later managed the Pretty Things. Duncan left school before her fifteenth birthday and took up songwriting.

In 1962, Lesley and Jimmy Duncan took songs to a Tin Pan Alley publisher while she worked in a London coffee bar. The publisher placed both siblings on weekly retainers. EMI signed Duncan within the next year. Parlophone issued the June 1963 single “I Want a Steady Guy” (b/w “Moving Away”), billed to Lesley Duncan & The Jokers. She also appeared as Lil in the Michael Carreras film What a Crazy World, a British pop musical with Joe Brown, Marty Wilde, and Susan Maughan.

Non-Album Singles, 1964–70

In February 1964, Parlophone issued “You Kissed Me Boy” (b/w “Tell Me”), a pair of Jimmy Duncan–Lesley Duncan songs. “When My Baby Cries” followed as a September 1964 Mercury single (b/w “Did It Hurt?”).

In March 1965, Mercury issued “Just for the Boy” (b/w “See That Guy”), a Koppelman–Rubin song backed with a Duncan original. “Run to Love” followed as an October 1965 single (b/w “Only the Lonely and Me”), both Duncan originals.

In September 1966, Mercury issued “Hey Boy,” a Duncan original backed with “I Go to Sleep,” a Ray Davies ballad later covered by The Pretenders but unrecorded by The Kinks.

RCA Victor issued “Lullaby” in September 1968 (b/w “I Love You, I Love You”), both Duncan originals. “A Road to Nowhere” followed as a January 1969 RCA Victor single (b/w “Love Song”), a Goffin–King song backed with a Duncan original.

In October 1969, CBS issued “Sing Children Sing” (b/w “Exactly Who You Are”), two Duncan titles. Date Records issued “Love Song” as a 1969 US single (b/w “Exactly Who You Are”). Columbia repeated the same pairing as a 1970 US single.

Session and Songwriter Credits

During her run of Sixties singles, Duncan proliferated as a London-session backing vocalist. She sang behind Dusty Springfield from 1964 through See All Her Faces. The Walker Brothers recorded “You’re All Around Me,” a Duncan–Scott Walker song, for Take It Easy with the Walker Brothers. Philips also placed the song on the B-side of “My Ship Is Coming In.” Duncan sang backing vocals on Walker Brothers sessions during the same period.

Reginald Dwight worked in the same London session circle as Duncan, Kiki Dee, and Madeline Bell before the June 1969 release of Empty Sky, his first album as Elton John. Duncan supplied the only outside composition on John’s 1970 third album, Tumbleweed Connection, where they duet on his cover of “Love Song.”

CBS/Columbia green-lit Duncan for a solo album with producer/arranger Jimmy Horowitz, who wed the singer on the eve of her contract.

Sing Children Sing

Lesley Duncan released her debut album, Sing Children Sing, in June 1971 on CBS (UK) and Columbia (North America).

The album contains eight Duncan originals and three co-writes with Jimmy Horowitz, who arranged keyboards, strings, and acoustic passages around Lesley’s tender voice. Elton John is her pianist guest on “Love Song,” their prior duet from Tumbleweed Connection.

Duncan herself adds mandolin to the musical layers woven by Horowitz on organ, piano, and celeste; backed by bassist Toni Campo, drummer Terry Cox, percussionists Ray Cooper and Tristan Fry, and guitarists Joe Moretti and Chris Spedding, who doubles on bouzouki.

“Chain of Love” links clear vocal vignettes to piano entries and warm organ chords beneath the lead. “Lullaby” cradles a child-addressed refrain with guarded hope in the vocal. “Help Me Jesus” pleads through a direct chorus and a devotional text. “Mr Rubin” simmers through a drawn-out address and lands each title call as a blunt plea. “Rainbow Games” clears the sequence with a light love verse and unforced vocal placement.

“Love Song” hushes to acoustic guitar and close vocal focus. “Sunshine (Send Them Away)” darkens the sunny premise with a roughened low vocal. “Crying in the Sun” widens into a denser period-arrangement sweep. “Emma” narrows the parent-child subject to a smaller vocal view. “If You Won’t Be Mine” lingers over wistful phrasing and a contained lead. “Sing Children Sing” gathers a children’s choir around a calm, hopeful refrain.

A1. “Chain of Love” (4:43) – Duncan, Horowitz
A2. “Lullaby” (3:52)
A3. “Help Me Jesus” (3:55)
A4. “Mr. Rubin” (7:05)
A5. “Rainbow Games” (2:45)

B1. “Love Song” (3:40)
B2. “Sunshine (Send Them Away)” (3:31)
B3. “Crying in the Sun” (3:11) – Duncan, Horowitz
B4. “Emma” (2:39) – Duncan, Horowitz
B5. “If You Won’t Be Mine” (2:57)
B6. “Sing Children Sing” (3:39)

Horowitz produced the album at IBC Studios in London, where Andy Knight co-engineered the sessions with Mike Claydon. String arranger David Katz directed the orchestration on Sing Children Sing and the surrounding Elton albums, Tumbleweed and Madman Across the Water.

Sing Children Sing appeared in a sleeve overseen by CBS art director John Hays, also credited on contemporary covers for Soft Machine (Fourth) and Joan Armatrading (Whatever’s for Us). Photographer Peter Rand captured Lesley’s smiling portrait for the cover.

CBS issued “Sing Children Sing” as a September 1971 UK single (b/w “Emma”). In the US, Columbia paired the title track with “Crying in the Sun,” followed in January 1972 with “Help Me Jesus” (b/w “Emma”); promo copies paired mono and stereo versions of “Help Me Jesus.”

Edsel first released Sing Children Sing on CD in 2000. RPM later included the album on the 2017 two-disc set Sing Lesley Sing: The RCA and CBS Recordings 1968–1972.

Earth Mother

Lesley Duncan released her second album, Earth Mother, in 1972 on CBS.

The album contains six Duncan originals and three co-writes with Jimmy Horowitz, plus one traditional and a songwriting contribution by ex-Herd bassist Andy Bown.

Duncan adds acoustic guitar and mandolin to the layers woven by her husband on organ, piano, and flute. Bown plays a dual bass/acoustic role, joined by drummer Barry de Souza and returning guitarist Chris Spedding.

“Love Will Never Lose You” glides from electric-piano figures to a flute solo that answers Duncan’s return vocal. “God Is Real (in My Soul)” swells around a prayerful refrain. “Fortieth Floor” simmers from a measured complaint into a gradual ensemble rise. “Old Friends” warms the regret text with Hammond chords and a held cried note before a sharper electric lead answers the chorus. “Earth Mother” beacons with string-laden ivory and contemplates human existence before the hurricane chorus sweep, which ushers mankind to the stormy consequence of environmental ruin. “By and Bye” resolves the title segue with choir-stacked harmonies.

A1. “Times” (4:00)
A2. “Queen to Your King” (3:50)
A3. “Love Will Never Lose You” (3:02)
A4. “Thunder” (3:39)
A5. “God Is Real (In My Soul)” (3:29) – Traditional
A6. “Fortieth Floor” (4:42)

B1. “Old Friends” (4:35) – Duncan, Horowitz
B2. “Sorry Living” (3:59)
B3. “If It’s All the Same to You” (3:27) – Andy Bown
B4. “Earth Mother” (6:47) – Duncan, Horowitz
B5. “By and Bye” (2:17) – Duncan, Horowitz

Horowitz produced and arranged Earth Mother with string leader Jack Rothstein and engineers Andy Knight and Hugh Jones. David Katz returned as creative consultant.

Photographer Richard Imirie captured Lesley’s profile for the green-framed Earth Mother cover, designed by Advance Graphics.

CBS issued “Earth Mother” as a September 1972 UK single (b/w “Love Will Never Lose You”).

Edsel first released Earth Mother on CD in 2001. RPM later included the album on the 2017 two-disc set Sing Lesley Sing: The RCA and CBS Recordings 1968–1972. Sony Music Japan issued Earth Mother as a 2018 CD.

Everything Changes

Lesley Duncan released her third album, Everything Changes, in March 1974 on GM.

The album contains eight Duncan originals and two co-writes with Jimmy Horowitz, who plays piano, Rhodes, and Moog. Peter Frampton appears on “The Serf.”

Duncan herself adds acoustic guitar to “Broken Old Doll” and the title track. For these sessions, her husband matched Barry de Souza with two guitarists (Jim Ryan, Bob Cohen) and bassists (Bown, Larry Steele). Sue Glover and Pink Floyd auxiliary Liza Strike sing backing vocals on “Hold On” and the bookend tracks.

“Broken Old Doll” enters with a quiet guitar figure and a close lead vocal, then gathers a fuller band entry and backing-vocal replies. The closing sequence repeats Duncan’s line against answering voices, with each return tightening the plea. “Everything Changes” steadies a break-up text with supportive vocal placement and string reinforcement. Its refrain keeps the emotional line plain and tender.

A1. “My Soul” (3:25)
A2. “Broken Old Doll” (3:50)
A3. “The Serf” (3:54)
A4. “Hold On” (3:30)
A5. “Everything Changes” (3:43)

B1. “Love Melts Away” (3:40) – Duncan, Horowitz
B2. “Sam” (2:55)
B3. “You” (4:23)
B4. “Watch the Tears” (4:20) – Duncan, Horowitz
B5. “We’ll Get By” (4:43)

Horowitz produced and arranged Everything Changes in autumn 1973 at IBC Studios, where Andy Knight co-engineered with Hugh Jones.

Everything Changes appeared in a sleeve designed by CCS and Mike Gill with photography by Steve Campbell.

GM issued “Watch the Tears” as a March 1974 UK single (b/w “Sam”). The label followed with the May release “Everything Changes” (b/w “Love Melts Away”).

RPM included Everything Changes on the 2019 three-disc set Lesley Step Lightly: The GM Recordings Plus 1974–1982. The same set adds 1974 BBC live versions of “My Soul,” “Sam,” “The Serf,” and several earlier Duncan titles.

Moon Bathing

Lesley Duncan released her fourth album, Moon Bathing, in 1975 on GM. MCA issued the album in North America in 1976.

The album contains nine Duncan originals and two co-writes with Jimmy Horowitz: “Heaven Knows” and “Rocking Chair.” Horowitz arranged and produced with the GM-period rhythm section reshaped around Pete Dennis and Glen LeFleur. David Katz and the Nashville Katz Orchestra supply the strings and horns.

Duncan adds acoustic guitar and mandolin. Horowitz plays piano and related keyboards, joined by guitarists Jim Ryan and Chris Spedding. Ryan also adds acoustic guitar and banjo, while Spedding adds slide guitar and bouzouki under the Colonel Christophoulos Spedaki credit. Derek Grossmith supplies flute and saxophone. Joanna Newman and Liza Strike add backing vocals.

“I Can See Where I’m Going” glides through clean guitar lines and a confident lead vocal. A second guitar enters as a bright answering voice, then the solo keeps a close exchange with Duncan. “Pick Up the Phone” quickens around a buoyant pulse and a relationship-scarred plea. Backing voices circle the title phrase while Duncan presses the return appeal in the lead line.

A1. “I Can See Where I’m Going” (3:52)
A2. “Heaven Knows” (4:47) – Duncan, Horowitz
A3. “Moon Bathing” (3:29)
A4. “Rescue Me” (3:13)
A5. “Lady Step Lightly” (3:51)

B1. “Wooden Spoon” (3:00)
B2. “Pick Up the Phone” (3:59)
B3. “Helpless” (3:50)
B4. “Fine Friends” (3:13)
B5. “Jumped Right in the River” (3:29)
B6. “Rocking Chair” (3:33) – Duncan, Horowitz

Horowitz recorded Moon Bathing during winter 1974–75 at Marquee Studios in London, where Will Roper engineered the sessions. Tony Bridges mastered the album.

Moon Bathing appeared in a sleeve directed by Mike Gill and designed by Will Robinson. Photographer Peter Sanders supplied the red monochrome cover image.

GM issued “I Can See Where I’m Going” as a June 27, 1975 UK single (b/w “Heaven Knows”). The label followed later in 1975 with “Could’ve Been a Winner” (b/w “Moonbathing”). MCA issued “Rescue Me” (b/w “Rocking Chair”) and “Fine Friends” (b/w “Heaven Knows”) as 1976 US singles.

Celeste issued Moon Bathing as a 2016 Japanese CD. RPM included the album on the 2019 three-disc set Lesley Step Lightly: The GM Recordings Plus 1974–1982. The same disc adds “Could’ve Been a Winner” and the 1973 Reading Festival version of “Earth Mother.”

Maybe It’s Lost

Lesley Duncan released her fifth album, Maybe It’s Lost, in 1977 on GM in the UK and MCA in North America.

The album contains eight Duncan originals, two co-writes with Jimmy Horowitz, and “Walk in the Sea” by Lindisfarne singer-guitarist Alan Hull. Horowitz arranged and produced with a larger guitar pool than the prior GM albums, while David Katz returned to lead the string section.

Pete Dennis and Glen LeFleur remain from Moon Bathing. Horowitz plays keyboards and alternates Spedding with Hummingbird Robert Ahwai and ex-Byzantium Nico Ramsden. Alan Murphy and Jim Ryan take the guitar parts on “Maybe It’s Lost,” “Let It Roll,” and “Drift Away.” Bobby Keys appears with the tenor-saxophone solo. Ramsden supplies backing vocals along with Madeline Bell, Laurie Andrew, and Caravan/Quantum Jump bassist-singer John G. Perry.

“The Sky’s on Fire” rides a rhythmic pulse with a release-seeking text. “Maybe It’s Lost” leaves the title phrase suspended in an open-ended vocal stance. “Ride on the Wind” keeps the same outward motion in a lightly syncopated setting. “Living It All Again” flickers around pizzicato-style guitar and a recurring pattern beneath Duncan’s reassurance-seeking lead.

A1. “The Sky’s on Fire” (3:41)
A2. “Maybe It’s Lost” (3:51)
A3. “Slipping Sideways” (3:36)
A4. “Living It All Again” (3:11)
A5. “Another Rainy Day” (4:32) – Duncan, Horowitz

B1. “Ride on the Wind” (3:26)
B2. “Let It Roll” (3:39)
B3. “Walk in the Sea” (2:28) – Alan Hull
B4. “Falling Like a Leaf” (3:50)
B5. “Don’t Worry ’Bout It” (3:31) – Duncan, Horowitz
B6. “Drift Away” (3:30)

Horowitz arranged and produced Maybe It’s Lost at CBS Studios in London across November and December 1976, with Bernie O’Gorman engineering. Tom Dowd and Dennis Hetzendorfer mixed most of the album at Criteria Studios in Miami. Mil Lietz mixed “Ride on the Wind” and “Falling Like a Leaf” at Wally Heider Studios in Los Angeles.

Maybe It’s Lost appeared in a sleeve designed by Moore and Morris with cover photography by David Steen.

GM issued “Maybe It’s Lost” as a July 22, 1977 UK single (b/w “Another Rainy Day”). The label followed on October 14, 1977 with “The Sky’s on Fire” (b/w “Don’t Worry ’Bout It”).

Celeste issued Maybe It’s Lost as a 2016 Japanese CD. RPM included the album on the 2019 three-disc set Lesley Step Lightly: The GM Recordings Plus 1974–1982. The same disc adds “The Magic’s Fine,” “Paper Highways,” the 1979 remake of “Sing Children Sing,” and later non-album titles through “Another Light Goes Out.”

Postlude

After Maybe It’s Lost, Duncan reduced her public work to selected singles, session vocals, and charity recordings. In January 1978, CBS issued Topol and Najah Salam versions of “Love Song,” sung in Hebrew and Arabic, with Duncan credited for vocal accompaniment. GM issued “The Magic’s Fine” later that month (b/w “Paper Highways”), a Tony Cox production released shortly before the now-divorced Duncan married Cox.

Duncan remained active on outside recordings at the turn of the decade. She sang “If I Could Change Your Mind” on Eve, the 1979 Alan Parsons Project album. Michael Chapman used Duncan on “Babe” from Life on the Ceiling. Mitchell/Coe Mysteries featured her on “Hold On to Love” from Exiled and on the 1980 RCA single “Something Inside Us Is Dying.”

CBS issued a charity remake of “Sing Children Sing” in November 1979 (b/w “Rainbow Games”) for the International Year of the Child. The recording included Pete Townshend, Phil Lynott, Madeline Bell, Joe Brown, Vicki Brown, Paddy Bush, and Kate Bush. Korova issued Duncan’s Bob Dylan cover “Masters of War” in February 1982 (b/w “Another Light Goes Out”), with Cox as producer. R4 issued “Tomorrow” in 1986 (b/w “Paper Highways”), the final new Lesley Duncan single.

Duncan withdrew from regular public music work after the middle Eighties. She and Cox lived in Cornwall and Oxfordshire before they moved to the Isle of Mull in 1996. Duncan spent her later years outside the music trade under her married name, Lesley Cox. On March 12, 2010, she died at age 66 of cerebrovascular disease after an extended illness.

Discography: